Snowplow



June 26, 1956 E. E. BUCHER I SNOWPLOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1951 INVENTOR EDWIN E. BUCHER ATTORNEY June 26, 1956 E. E. BUCHER SNOWPLOW 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7, 1951 INVENTOR EDWIN E- BUCHER ATTORNE June 26, 1956 E. E. BUCHER 2,751,697

SNOWPLOW Filed Aug. 7, 1951 s sheets-sheets EDWIN E. BUCHER BY W W ATTORNEY 1.1 m pf the/.bl des and tthe u p rsima ec is nt gether with .th -Q wh e ahe h atl operate;

United States Patent 07 "This invention relates to a reta v er rev 1 he s ew for the removal of s ow or t e lik and t? ea y to e p v e d iven mach ne of s h ela s hear n a blower adapted to throat t e s ew :teteither s de ef t e perhei the mach ne and rn hanism for eutl hg a path r pr etermihed widthth hsh th laye ef snow tebe rrem r d le breaking up, gat ng nd eo v v hg the n a eetlv he whale i and at increased vel y to the lowe i released. a

al is an abje ef h h h en I pres h e a maehin af the cl d scribe which has vincreased efiie eaey as ha pe ed th se ef the prior art,

A martiehla ehiee s t p vide in a maehine ef the e ass descri ed high y efiieen -hl de :in-ihe n ture at ;m-i.llinerbletieswhie s a e ah ht a hea zent l aa sextend ng tr nsve sely the direetien f trav ehthemaqhiae an each of which is farm d and arr nged to periorm ahe .imperaani itineti ns .of cut ing m breaking hp an athering the snow laverto he removed while enaey n ihe gathered .snevv along the shpntestnspinalpath the ,the intake of the blower and there releasing th snow ie h blew}?! i a veloci y teei her side tef rhe maehhie.

,A ifurtaher an partieular ehjeet is to :provide iSHQW gathering and .eoniveving mecha ism ior h from of e 'LSILQW'EPiQW comprising en ct ng groups efsbladesimonnted ier rotation abou a horizontal axi ex ending transvers ly ttoezthe direction of travel of the machine, the-.outeredges .ef :the several lblades defining ta tcylinederhaving a diameter greater than half thelengthiof the eyl-inder-xandeeachwlade extending eireumferentially of the cylinder not mere ahan 180 degrees and having a majorieentral helieal:portien'the apittih of which is approximately .4 degrees to a plane perpendicular to the axis vhf the ,cylinder.

AiHQ-Ihfif lo i et .is to imp ove th efileieney :of uch .iiblades hvferming he outer, leadingtend por i nof .eaeh blade with a ferward incl na on nd h OPPOsi-te er tr en 'PQf iQfi :of ach blade with a rearwardini hha 'ianirele ivete the riirectien 01f ratat en- Theinv nt e al einelude eerainether nove tfeature e ee stru heh wh ch wil h mor ,fiull-v pai te (91 1: ifeillewing;; p e fiea en andla ms.

. fie erring t h ae ompanving d aw n ar -:1 is a s h mati plan v Wil hstn t-ihg ehe a nn- *hedhne 40f the inventi n;

zFig. li a hema ie p r! sid elevationa and par longitudinal seetienal vi e he machine;

fig. a istapl n "v e h wing a g oup f hav'hhe eved .ihlades projected ,onta -development of the eylind-ri calgsnrefa e defihe y th e t edges fthe seve eb ades and al tr ih a mQdfieahon -.o.f t i eht e wh ein-it-he av i ing end por of th several hlee are inel ned :rehrwardly withrespect to the di'rect iontqf rot n;

. 4 is a front elevational tviewa sh ing a i 5 is an end vi w .ofih .str nre shevvn i a iig- ,4;

Figs. 6 7 and '8 are cross sectional views taken on the 2 lines and 8-1-8 respectively of Fig. 4, and Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrative of the principles of op eration or the present invention.

Asshey ih Fi s 1 a 2 of he dr win my new 5 ma hine ha ss s lu i' g f ame m mbe s 3 p- Pe d 9 .1 a sha t 1 an Calked eel 2.- Meahz s en the chassis to the rear of the shaft 1 is an engine A and in treat 9f the s a 1 th now rem v n .meehenism i shrwa ed- Thi e an m e s .mv i v n i n and aeriqrms the ihh ti n h e nh e e des esi, in -ad- 0 th se P ship n th h w f om h t rapaet aye path of the machine, cutting up and gathering in s ew While enveyi g i r p dv and efiiei tlv to th ,ee tre y leea db e e wh h ej ct t to the sid h anew re ievi meehahism ee s t 9 two s r unit mounte en a am n sh t 6 hi ra e bear n .Q ah she-ssh each uni-t having t- Q b ade ar vih m mbensfl and a p urali y of b ades 8 seeu iedie e eate is eppe te its tha e the b ade .e the o h 4 e h f the mechan s so h t l b ades m ve t e om th Qh side wa d th e nt M re spe ific lly, ea h ih edes-ehve s snow om Mater-a1 e remity 9f the shew ea in a h a pa to he in ake e the hlewe w il Tth sha s r t ted eph ea ate v ea e-hal iez a eemale e eve ll-I 1.1- i

A :heve g 9 i xed on he she -t6 n ar th .rnidal he ee and m. h s w th e be gea 1 fi e te t d J v shah 18 .T he att s e-f i-e aaeeiealhre h h hi tre sm-i en gearing an eh fels to Et e e g e A A easin 1112 h s bs a lly e m ey ihdr ea shape iferm a e :W th w eh h b ade m in eehvev na a a th b owe P e tly t he ese bed- A ey i d i a ing :15 is ehr et d to a d mml'nUH Ga-R wi h th re r e n-hta pa o th as ng 2 a ie h ihs a ee i i gal whee 1 which is keyed to :the d ivin she- 110 an pr vided wi h blad s 14- fl r n e e d v- A ts t p th ea in .3 i pmvided with an eiee ihg spout 15 W i hmay beadj11sted to discharge :the towa d he g 0 l i- Of th P3111 ef themaehine.

' siqn h aring s een eined in a h u ing .11 terth en ne eas n -Handle ba s :1 are seeured e g l8 and mzeie neahward y of he engine,

zh ing nrov ded w l u ta eeqnl el ileve 12,0 o erativel eeahee d its t e Ifi J miS Q gea i gliu h -e tw rh r and into the central intake epening of the blower eas ere the material isdrawn in athigh velocity bysthe g: trlf rg-al wheel 14, the blades 14 .of. which .dis-

.aeher e l'. 'm h th .a pe t 515- T mu m y zbe-elongated to act as a diiftlser and to iload thesnowton vehicles a ar wan ing i away Eaeh ,effih blad arranged with its leadin tor end portion direeted or inclined to the afiront relathe di-r tign Of notation and has its trailing end ,PQIEIQII toward the center of the machine, rearwardly 4di- IiQClBd riinelined, as more-daily hereinafter adesc-rilzted. A urthe hd t d v elf-th drawing each 0f the bl de :8 extend e re rh erent l y p hhe cylinde iggfi gdby theirtonter edges less than 1 89 degrees and has a'p tehtles sth ha he.le gt iefv uehevl d n wAnamp.. rt'a t .fel'ata e efmvee .Qn wh ch-g eatly i-WPKQYQh h a ten and efi e en yae th blad -in des in" my arrangement whereby the trailing end portions of rotor and at opposite sides of the vertical plane through the axis of the blower intake, leaving a clear central passage for the snow where the highest velocity is required.

The efficiency of these blades is also improved by reason of the forward inclination of their leading end portions and rearward inclination of their trailing end portions relative to the direction of rotation. They thus positively gather the snow into the bottom of the casing 12 at both sides of the cut and accelerate the gathered snow while carrying it along the shortest spiral path to the unobstructed passage between the spaced trailing ends of the blades at the center of the intake of the blower into which. the snow passes under centrifugal force assisted by the backward inclination of the end portions of the blades 8 directly in front of the blower intake. This construction results in a minimum of loss of power as compared with ordinary plows which are so constructed as to cause much pushing of the snow ahead of the plows and much recirculating, churning or other reworking of the snow before it passes into the intakes of p the blowers.

In Figs. 3-8 inclusive details of a preferred form of the invention are illustrated. As best shown in Fig. 3, each of the blades 8 extends circumferentiallyof the v The backwardly inclined portions 26 and end portions 25,

development 8a of the cylinder defined by the outer edges of these blades somewhat less than 180 degrees and has 'a helically disposed main portion 22, the pitch of which is approximately equal to 45 degrees. The leading, outer end of each blade 8 has a circumferentially extending portion 23, of reduced pitch or substantially without pitch, and an adjacent portion 24 which is forwardly inclined in the direction of rotation (see also Fig. 6). A trailing end portion 25 of each blade also extends circumferentially with a smaller pitch or substantially without pitch, and an adjacent portion 26 is inclined rearwardly relative to the direction of rotation, as further indicated in Fig. 8. Midway between its ends, each blade portion 22 has faces which are disposed radially of the cylinder, as shown in the cross sectional view, Fig. 7.

The portions 25 of the blades carried by one-half of the shaft 6 are spaced longitudinally of the cylinder relative to the corresponding portions of the blades carried by the other half of the shaft. This spacing of the blades is of prime importance because it allows the snow toflow as a stream at a velocity higher than that of the blades directly to the center of the blower intake. It has been determined that if the blades extend entirely across and directly in front of the blower intake, the snow must move at the same velocity as the blades and is compacted at the critical point where the greatest acceleration is required for efficiency. proved laterally spaced blades and with the pitch described, the stream of snow is accelerated by the blades which slide on both sides of the stream entering the With my imof reduced or substantially no pitch, push the snow to the rear into the blower intake and insure quick release of the snow while minimizing the constriction which would otherwise be caused by the rotation of the blades across and closely adjacent to the blower intake.

In further explanation of the principles involved in the construction of my improved snow plow, reference is made to the diagram Fig. 9. In this diagram it is assumed that snow is to be removed from a path of predetermined width represented by the dimension A and is to be conveyed to a smaller passage of width B by forcibly advancing opposed pairs of walls 27, 28 and 29 in the appropriate direction to cause the snow to flow between the walls, as indicated by the arrows 30. The angle X between each of the walls 28 and the front of the plow must be of such magnitude as to cause the snow to slide along these walls rather than to cause it to be pushed ahead of them. It has been determined that the coefficient of friction between snow and the surface of iron or steel members is such that if the angle X is substantially less than 45 degrees the snow will not slide along the walls 28 or along other members such as the blades 8 which confront the snow at an angle to propel it laterally relative to the direction of travel of the plow. This angle may be greater than 45 degrees, but in such case the lateral movement of the snow is proportionately reduced and the efiiciency of the plow is lowered. Consequently the optimum angle for the portions of the blades 8, which are depended on to impart movement of the snow toward the central opening of the blower is approximately 45 degrees. Expressed in terms of the complement of angle X, the pitch of the major portion ofthe blades 8 relative to planes perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 6'must not be greater than 45 degrees.

As further indicated in Fig. 9, it is desirable in order to gather the snow into the plow mechanism and deliver it through a narrower passage of width B to provide a cutting zone C defined by the spaced parallel walls 27 as well as a conveying and accelerating zone D, defined by the angularly disposed walls 28 and a snow release and discharge zone E, defined by the parallel walls 29.

Similar zones are created respectively by the leading end portions 23, central portions 22 and trailing end portions 25 of the several blades 8. The lateral spacing of these trailing end portions corresponds to the lateral spacing of the walls 29 (Fig. 9) in affording an unobstructed passage for snow flowing at a high velocity to the center p the outside diameter of the blade structure and width of the path to be cut in the snow layer. In determining the optimum length and pitch of the blades 8 and the optimum diameter and length of the cylinder defined by their outer edges, I have also taken into account the fact that in the blower intake. This will be evident by reference to Fig. 9 wherein the passage B to the blower must be unobstructed in the interest of efiicieney and the avoidance of compaction of the snow in this passage. Incidentally, the lateral spacing of the blades causes their trailing ends to clear the central driving shaft 10.

By the blade construction and arrangement described, the leading end portions 23 are caused to cut into the mass of snow to be removed and to form the side walls of the cut while the adjacent end portions 24 gather in the loosened and disintegrated material which has the greatest distance to travel to the blower intake and least time in which to reach the blower. The snow thus gathered from the sides of the cut as well as that gathered by other portions of the blades is conveyed along the spiral path defined by the portions 22 of the blades and then released and discharged at increased velocity toward the rear and directly in front of the blower intake 13.

operation of machines of the character described particles or masses of show located at the extreme outer, lower corners of the casing 12, indicated by the points Y in Figs. 4, 5 and 8, are most difiicult to convey directly, i. e., without recirculating, to the blower intake opening 13a because of the time element involved and fact that snow at such points has less time to reach the blower: intake than particles or masses of snow located elsewhere in the path of the plow. As indicated in Fig. 8, a particle of snow at the point Y should be carried through an angle of approximately 120 degrees circumferentially of the cylinder in order to reach the top of the intake opening 1312, without passing this opening. If the particle at point Y is carried by a blade having a pitch of approximately 7 45 degrees, circumferentially through an angle substansnares-'7 the blower. It is thus apparent that with blades pitched at the optimum angle of approximately 45 degrees, the angularly pitched portions of the blades'should extend approximately 120 degrees circumferentially of the cylinder.

' From the factual considerations described, I have de termined that greatly improved efliciency is obtained by making the diameter of the cutter cylinder, defined by the .outer edges .of the blades, substantially greater than ,half

the lengthof such cylinder; by constructing each blade so that it extends circumferentially of the cylinder not substantially more than 180 degrees, and by providing a helical portion extending circumferentially 120 degrees and with pitch of approximately 45 degrees. As further hereinbefore pointed out, the forwardly inclined, leading end portions and rearwardly inclined, trailing end portions of the blades also improve the efiiciency of the operation which is further improved by reason of the reduced pitch of the leading and trailing ends of the blades. The high efliciency resulting from my improvements has been demonstrated.

The number and width of the blades carried by each half of the horizontally extending shaft 6 may be varied, depending on the size and power of the plow and other factors, such as price requirements of the smaller plows. The mechanical construction is facilitated and the cost reduced if from two to five blades are provided on each half of the mechanism and if the width of each blade, radially of the cylinder, is made less than one-half the radius thereof. In order to coact with a casing 12, having a cylindrical inner surface, it will be evident that the outer edges of the blades 8 must define a cylinder in close proximity to the surface of the casing, but it is not necessary that the inner edges of these blades shall define a cylinder.

Instead of supporting the blades 8 on wheel-like supports 7, it is preferable to provide thin and relatively wide spoke-like supports direclty welded or otherwise secured at their outer ends to the individual arcuate blades and at their inner ends to a hub on the shaft 10. The outer end portion of each such spoke-like support is preferably shaped to conform to the pitch of the blade along the zone of connection with the support. Thus three spokelikc supports may be substituted for each of the supports 7, each rigidly joined to one of the blades 8, to thereby assist the action of the blades 8 in conveying the snow at the highest rate of speed to the blower intake. In the larger size plows, the width of the individual spokes may be enlarged at their outer ends where they are joined to the blades 8 and when made wide enough the spokes may be caused to merge and form complete shovel-like structures extending to the rotor shaft and adapted to carry the snow through the shortest spiral path from the outside, leading ends of the blades to the blower intake opening.

It will be understood that the snow removing mechanism herein described may be mounted in front of a tractor or other motor vehicle and driven thereby where large capacity mechanism is required. It is also contemplated to arrange two or more sets of the blades 8, together with their supporting and operating mechanism, one above the other or at opposite sides of the plow.

The present application is a continuation in part of my application serial No. 86,020, filed April 7, 1949, for Snow Plow, and now abandoned.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a snow plow having a power-driven blower, a casing having a cylindrical inner surface extending transversely to the path of the plow and being formed with a centrally located opening communicating with the intake opening of the blower, the improvements which comprise, a transversely divided rotor extending transversely to the direction of travel of the plow and having a plurality of blades carried by each half of the rotor, the

, 6 outer edges of said blades defininga cylinder disposed close proximity to said cylindrical surface of the casing, the several blades carried by the respective halves of said shaft having angularly pitched portions formed and arranged to impel snow outward and longitudinally from the trailing end. portions of said blades into said centrally located intake opening of the blower along a spiral path not exceeding 180 degrees circumferentially of the rotor, portions of the several blades adjacent to the leading ends being forwardly inclined in the direction f rotation of the rotor, the length of the cylinder defined by said blades being less than twice the diameter of said cylinder and power-driven measn for rotating said rotor.

2. In a snow plow having a power-driven blower, a casing having a substantially cylindrical inner surface extending transversely of the path of the plow and being formed with a centrally located opening communicating with the intake opening of the blower, the improvements which comprise, a transversely divided rotor extending transversely to the direction of travel of the plow and having a plurality of blades carried by each half of the rotor, the outer edges of said blades defining a cylinder disposed in close proximity to said cylindrical surface of the casing, the several blades carried by the respective halves of the rotor having angularly pitched portions intermediate their ends extending at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the axis of rotation of the rotor, and trailing end portions disposed to impel snow outward and longitudinally from said trailing end portions into said centrally located intake opening of the blower, the blades carried by one half of said rotor being spaced longitudinally thereof relative to the blades carried by the other half thereof, the space between the trailing end portions of said blades being unobstructed for the flow of snow longitudinally and outward from the blades into said intake opening of the blower, the pitched portion of each of said blades extending circumferentially of said cylinder through an angle not exceeding 180 degrees, the length of the cylinder defined by said blades being less than twice the diameter of said cylinder, and power-driven means for rotating said rotor.

3. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein a portion of each of said blades adjacent to the leading end is forwardly inclined in the direction of rotation of said rotor.

4. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein a portion of each of said blades adjacent to the trailing end is rearwardly inclined relative to the direction of rotation of the rotor.

5. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein a portion of each of said blades adjacent to its leading end is forwardly inclined in the direction of rotation of said rotor and a portion of each of said blades adjacent to the trailing end is rearwardly inclined relative to the direction of rotation.

6. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said blades has a portion adjacent to its leading end which extends circumferentially of said cylinder with substantially less pitch than said angularly pitched portions.

7. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said blades has a trailing end portion extending circumferentially of said cylinder with substantially less pitch than said angularly pitched portions.

8. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said blades has a leading end portion extending circumferentially of said cylinder with substantially less pitch than said angularly pitched portions, and each of said blades has a trailing end portion extending circumferentially of said cylinder, with substantially less pitch than said angularly pitched portions.

9. A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein said angular pitched portions of said blades extend circumferentially of the rotor approximately degrees.

- 101A snow plow in accordance with claim 2 wherein pendi'cnlar to the axis of the rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I 175,716 Lathropet a1. Apr. 4, 1876 l 1,587,449 Wandscheer June 1, 1926 Moen et a1. Aug. 25, 1931 6 Wandscheer Dee. 15, I Voorderman Apr. 23, Venable Oct. 23, Wandscheer Oct. 30, Smith Jan. 29, I Vanvick Feb. 26,

FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Sept. 26, Switzerland Dec. 1, 

